Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2007 Isuzu Ascender. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the driver's side window unexpectedly rolled down. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon entering the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormally strong smoky odor inside the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the driver's door master window switch module had melted and was inoperable. The contact ordered a replacement part for the failure. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired because the door master window switch module was an older module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Isuzu Ascender. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over bumps and railroad tracks, a chime sounded as all the warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the drivers side latch failed and was unable to open the door electronically. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V404000 (visibility) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the initial failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,125.
It was raining outside and I got in my SUV to drive down the driveway to pick up my granddaughter as she got off the bus. As I started the SUV and put it into reverse to back out of my space I noticed that the driver window started to roll down, the window got about halfway down I pressed the switch to raise the window and it started going up and then stopped at about 3/4 of the way up, at this point I had stopped the SUV and I let off of the switch and the window went all the way down and I noticed smoke coming up from the window seals. I proceeded down the driveway to the end and the smoke was getting thicker and blacker. I shut the SUV off and it stopped smoking and the residual smoke continued to pour up through the window seals. I turned the ignition back on and the smoke was instant and just as heavy as before. …
The issue started with my lights staying on. The car was parked in my driveway and turned off completely. My battery was dying and I finally seen that some of my lights outside of the car were not shutting off. I tried manually shutting them off and that did not work. Now my heat and air does not work. I'm sure it has to do with the fuse box under the back driver's side seat. When I went to check the fuses it shorted out when I pulled the cover off. I hope my car does not catch fire next. I do have the issue with my driver door not working. It worked when I first got the car, a couple months later my driver door window worked intermittently. Eventually it stopped working completely. When I called Isuzu they told me I had to travel to alabama if I wanted them to fix it. Otherwise I could have a mechanic do it and I would be reimbursed, I just dont have 7-$800 to throw out there.
Driving at night on highway and my exterior lights will go completely off and only my high beams will come on but that's it. They'll come back on usually when I get to where I'm going and park the car but driving on the highway at night and all of the sudden your headlights go out is extremely dangerous. On three different occasions both the high beam and low beams went out. But on most occasions and now every occasion while driving at night the regular lowbeam headlights just go out randomly
It took a while before the electrical issues to progress where they where verifiable with solid symptoms as in transmission faults and poor performance along with loss of communication to steering wheel controls, ac and blower failure, radio etc. The full extent of what is affected and how it will progress as it had to this point is unknown to me or service people. The wiring has been modified and the ignition has been replaced 3 times to try and resolve this issue, and the effects of modification did not work and what that will bring about is unknown at this time. I have notified manufacture, but after I learned of this site and looked at Chevy trail blazer and Isuzu Ascender electrical issues ( same car ), it is clear to me that I am not alone and there is not a known fix for this hardware or possibly software issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Isuzu Ascender. The contact stated that the gauges and lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact also noticed smoke and flames coming from the control panel of the arm rest on the front driver side door. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V035000 (visibility) even though the windshield of the vehicle had shifted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Had auto towed to midas after inability to start, attempted jump start, unsuccessful. Battery replaced on 12/28/15. Drove auto next several days and on 12/30/15 drove to pick up my husband, shut off car in park. Unable to start vehicle again, keys could not be removed. Keys were in lock position in battery mode, able to turn to engine on but not turnover. Battery running all lights. Had auto towed again to midas but unable to diagnose. Spoke with auto shop and given this info to check recall for this vehicle. VIN [redacted]. 2004 Isuzu Ascender. Will require another tow to different facility for diagnostics plus more fees for repairs,towing. Auto was in park on side street 4 pm 12/30/15 after driving vehicle all day.
NHTSA investigations
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Frequently asked questions
Which Isuzu Ascender years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (34), 2005 (27), 2003 (9) and 2006 (9) model years. Electrical complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Isuzu Ascender electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Isuzu Ascender model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Isuzu Ascender electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (16 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.